Foreign universities are launching a huge recruitment drive in Manchester – to tempt students abroad.

Dozens of universities are hosting a conference in the city to encourage teenagers to earn their degree overseas.

It comes after most British universities trebled their fees to around £9,000 a year.

Overseas universities hope to cash in on the fee hike – emphasising the relatively low costs and the horizon-widening experience of learning abroad.

In countries such as Denmark, university education is free for EU citizens, and lectures in many subjects are delivered in English.

Recruiters from 70 foreign universities – from China, America, and Europe – will try to tempt students at the Student World Fair.

A similar event was staged by overseas universities in London last year. Organisers have now targeted Manchester and expect more than 2,000 visitors to the event at Lancashire County Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Organiser Jemma Davies said British degrees were now among the most expensive in the world – but cost wasn’t the only reason students were exploring other options.

She said: “We have seen an increase in both the attendance of students and overseas universities since the first fair in October last year.

“That represents a real demand among students for information about studying a degree abroad and among overseas universities recognising the potential created by the rise in tuition fees and the limited undergraduate places here in the UK.

“Students, parents and teachers in the Manchester area will be able to meet representatives from international universities in 15 countries to help them make an informed decision about going abroad for a degree.”

Manchester is one of the UK’s most popular student cities – with an estimated 100,000 learners at colleges and universities.

British universities have warned students to think carefully before jetting away – arguing that British degrees are among the most internationally-recognised. And admissions chiefs also underline that domestic students will have pay no money up-front – and will only start to repay when they earn £21,000.